US Kazakhstan tungsten deal faces scrutiny over family ties

A major U.S.-backed mining agreement with Kazakhstan is facing scrutiny following reports that businesses linked to the families of President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick could financially benefit from the project, which is under consideration for substantial federal financing. The deal, signed on November 6 of last year, grants the American company Kaz Resources access to one of the world's largest untapped tungsten deposits in Kazakhstan.

Tungsten is a strategic mineral essential for missile warheads, fighter aircraft, semiconductors, and other defense and industrial technologies. The agreement comes as the United States seeks to reduce its dependence on China for critical minerals, following export restrictions Beijing imposed last year.

Ahead of the deal's finalization, the Trump administration approved preliminary applications for up to $1.6 billion in federal financing for the project, though none of that funding has been disbursed and it remains subject to additional approvals. According to reports, President Trump, Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were personally involved in negotiations with Kazakh President...